51 obtain training on suicide intervention

Behavioral Health Solutions, in collaboration with the Division of Public Health, hosted two sessions of trainings for certification in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or ASIST, on Saipan to help build capacity for suicide prevention. These two sessions trainings was held over the course of two days each, May 27-28 and June 5-6, at the LaoLao Bay Golf and Resort, completing the 11th ASIST training these past four years in the CNMI by trainers Becky Robles and Jennifer Maratita. This event was in efforts and collaborations with community partners toward prevention and awareness and annual health observance supported by SAMHSA that celebrates the work that community organizations and individuals do year-round to prevent substance abuse and promote mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being.

A total of 51 participants completed this training that included community partners of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., Division of Public Health, Public School System, Department of Corrections, Commonwealth Cancer Association, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Northern Marianas College, and Division of Youth Services.

The training began on May 27 to 28 and a second session on June 5 to 6. The two trainers, Rebecca Robles, acting NCD administrator, and Jennifer Maratita of Behavioral Health Solutions and instructor at the Northern Marianas College, are registered trainers through LivingWorks Education. This registered certification of the two CNMI-based trainers was made possible through the Substance Abuse and Prevention Grant and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Prevention and Training Branch of Guam that was held in 2010 to promote suicide prevention efforts in the Micronesian Region, and to date totaling over 240 certified caregivers in the CNMI though this project’s efforts.

According to LivingWorks Education, the ASIST training is the most widely used, acclaimed and researched suicide intervention skills training in the world. The benefits of the ASIST T4T, is that the community sustains locally trained trainers that can certify additional caregivers on how to respond and help someone with suicidal thoughts or may be at risk of attempting suicide. If you or someone you know is talking about wanting to die, seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or by calling the National Prevention Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK for support.

The CNMI’s Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. and Division of Public Health are currently taking significant steps toward increasing community-based collaboration that will result in more successful suicide prevention activities and early intervention efforts.

Behavioral Health Solutions has current plans that include additional ASIST certification trainings throughout the year to various agencies and members of the community. Space is limited, so contact LivingworksCNMI@gmail.com for more information. (PR)